Scaffold Safety

25th July 2011

In response to industry demand, the National Access & Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) has launched a free guide for organisations and individuals responsible for appointing, monitoring or managing scaffolding contractors.

The risk of an accident or injury to operatives, or the general public can be greatly reduced, says the NASC, if relevant parties know exactly what to demand from their scaffolding contractor at every stage of the process.

To this end, the guide gives details on the current best-practice requirements for scaffolding contractors prior to them working on site and what expectations are required once work has commenced.

The document is aimed at clients, site or project managers, agents, surveyors, CDM-coordinators, estimators, planners and designers and covers:

• Scaffold types;
• Regulations, codes of practice and best practice;
• Competence;
• Scaffolders' safety and PPE;
• Scaffolding design;
• Minimum scaffold requirements;
• Scaffold handover and statutory inspections;
• Risk assessments and method statements;
• Summary of scaffolder cards; and
• Scaffold inspection reporting.

NASC president, Gerry Cooper, said: "non-regulated scaffolding contractors could get away with anything, if you let them! This guidance arms those responsible for using scaffolders with the facts and allows them to insist on latest best practice."

To request the guide, e-mail enquiries@nasc.org.uk

Disclaimer: This article is designed to keep readers abreast of current developments. It is not intended to be a comprehensive statement of law and specialist legal advice should always be sought in relation to any particular circumstance. Therefore, Thomas, Carroll Management Services is unable to accept liability for any errors or facts or opinion contained within.